A stress fracture is a common overuse injury. A stress fracture can occur in any bone, but is commonly seen in the foot and leg bones. They rarely occur in the upper extremity because the weight of your body is not supported by your arms as it is by your legs. These types of fractures are usually seen in athletes who run and jump on hard surfaces, such as marathon runners, basketball and tennis players. Stress fractures can also occur in ballet dancers. But stress fracture can happened to any person. It is usually related to sudden change from a sedentary lifestyle to an active exercises or rapid increase in length and intensity of exercises.

Several recent studies reported that female athletes seem to experience more stress fractures than male. There are several theories for these differences but the real reason is still unknown.

Stress Fracture Symptoms

Stress fracture accosiated with local pain, tenderness, and pain with weight-bearing.

Stress Fracture Diagnosis

X-Rays usually do not show a stress fracture. Studies such as MRI or bone scan to confirm the diagnosis.

Stress Fracture Treatment

It usually takes from 4 to 12 weeks. Treatment includes the following:

1. Rest to reduce weight-bearing exercises/load during healing.
2. Icing to decrease swelling/inflammation and pain
3. Electromagnetic stimulation sends electrical impulses into the bone to promote healing. It causes the bone to lay out more bone cells that strengthen the bone and bone heals naturally.
4. Ultrasound therapy. Recent studies have shown that bone fracture responds well to ultrasound device in terms of length of healing.
5. Cold laser (low level laser therapy) has been proven in earlier healing of stress fractures.

After 1-2 weeks of complete rest patient can start non-weight-bearing activities and progress to regular everyday exercises. Exercises were designed to increase activity, strength and stability.

Stress Fracture Prevention

The easiest way to prevent stress fractures is to increase the exercises load no more than 10% per week.

Strengthening exercises help to build muscle strength in the lower extremities.
Proper nutrition with enogh quantity of calcium and vitamin D for bone remodeling.

 

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